Ireland ranked in top ten of ‘Better Life Index'

According to research measuring well-being and progress across 34 nations, 73% of people in Ireland, when asked, said they were satisfied with their life, which is well above the the OECD average of 59%.

People in Ireland devote 64% of their day, or 15.2 hours, to eating, sleeping and leisure, including socialising with friends and family, hobbies, games, computer and television use, very close to the OECD average, reports the Irish Examiner.

According to the report, while money cannot buy happiness it is an important means to achieving higher living standards.

The OECD average of money available to a household for spending on goods or services is €15,800, whereas in Ireland it recorded €17,000 which is €1,200 more than the average amount for the other 33 countries.

Employment in Ireland for people aged 15 to 64 who have a paid job reached 60% in this research, which is less than the OECD average of 65%. However, people in Ireland work 190 hours less per year than the average 1,739 hours per year.

The Irish, unsurprisingly, ranked highest at 59% of people who have helped a stranger in the last month. Yet, voter turnout and the measure of public trust in government, as well as public participation in politics was at a low 67% compared to the 72% average.

Ireland is known for its high standard education system and with 70% of adults aged 25 - 64 holding a high-school diploma and an average score of 496 out of 600 for reading ability according to the latest assessment, is one of the main reason Ireland has ranked so high in the Better Life Index research project.

Irish people are living longer at an average life expectancy of 80 years old which is higher than the average age across 34 countries.

Ireland has ranked 1% less than average at 3% for assault victims reports in the last 12 months, and 1% higher than average at 27% for feeling unsafe on the street after dark.